The Mammoth in the Room

Nicolas Pokorny, PhD, MBA
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Can leaders learn how to harness the evolutionary foundations of human behavior to create better business outcomes? How much do evolutionary forces shape our own individual behaviors, decisions, and group dynamics? In each episode, multinational executive leader and author Nicolas Pokorny shares practical, research-based strategies, and stories about how to align humans around common goals and lead them effectively through ever-changing markets and times. The Mammoth in the Room is an engaging listen of interest to leaders who wish to better lead their people by understanding the evolutionary foundations of human behavior and how to harness them.

  1. -23 Ч

    How to Lead When One Team Member Dominates the Room

    We’ve all been there. A team meeting is derailed by one person who can’t stop talking. The “gunner” who jumps in, interrupts others, and takes over the conversation. In this episode, we explore what’s really behind that behavior and how leaders can turn it from a frustration into a strength.  Through the lens of evolutionary psychology, we uncover why some people seek dominance in groups and how our brains respond to unfairness. You’ll learn why these ancient instincts still shape today’s workplace dynamics and how you can use them to restore balance and collaboration in your team.  Plus, we share four actionable strategies to redirect over-talkers, foster fairness, and build a culture rooted in prestige-based leadership, not dominance. If you’ve ever struggled with a domineering colleague or want to make your meetings more inclusive and effective, this one is for you. In this episode: - Evolutionary roots of dominance and prestige - Tip 1: Establish fair participation norms - Tip 2: Channel the gunner’s energy into teaching roles - Tip 3: Use private coaching to increase awareness - Tip 4: Model prestige-based leadership & psychological safety - Key takeaways and course of action Resources Used in the Episode: Boehm, C. (1999). Hierarchy in the Forest: The Evolution of Egalitarian Behavior. Harvard University Press: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674006911   Henrich, J., & Gil‑White, F. J. (2001). The evolution of prestige: freely conferred deference as a mechanism for enhancing the benefits of cultural transmission. Evolution and Human Behavior, 22(3), 165–196: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-17993-001   Van Vugt, M., & Smith, J. E. (2019). A dual model of leadership and hierarchy: evolutionary synthesis. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(11), 952–967: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31629633/  Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

    11 мин.

  2. 9 ОКТ.

    The Ultimate Guide to Designing Effective Leadership Hierarchy

    Powerful leadership doesn’t have to mean rigid hierarchies. We wrap up our hierarchy miniseries with a practical playbook on how to design effective and scalable hierarchies that lead to success. We’ll explore lessons learned from our evolution and how to adapt traditional structures to modern leadership needs, ensuring clarity, fairness, and transparency. We’ll show you how to create a system where prestige, not coercion, is the primary mode of leadership. You’ll also learn how to build an organization that values competence and fairness while maintaining a flexible and adaptable structure.  In this episode: - How to design effective hierarchies - Building equality into hierarchies - Cultivating a service-oriented culture - The complete hierarchy playbook Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

    9 мин.

  3. 2 ОКТ.

    Why Prestige Is a More Powerful Leadership Tool Than Dominance

    In this week’s episode, we explore the concept of prestige as a form of leadership influence. Unlike dominance, which compels obedience through fear, prestige attracts followership through admiration and respect. This distinction is crucial for modern leaders who wish to build lasting, trust-based influence that empowers others to excel.  Through an exploration of evolutionary biology and historical context, we examine how prestige evolved as a way to coordinate around competence, fairness, and shared knowledge. We’ll uncover how prestige fosters trust, learning, and collaboration in organizations.  Mastering the balance of prestige and dominance will enable you to create a robust leadership style that thrives in both calm and crisis situations. If you are ready to build long-term influence, this one is for you. In this episode: - Introduction to prestige and its evolution - Group-level payoffs of prestige leadership - Limits of prestige & the dual strategy model - Final thoughts on the power of prestige Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Resources Used in the Episode:  Henrich, J., & Gil-White, F. J. (2001). The evolution of prestige: freely conferred deference as a mechanism for enhancing the benefits of cultural transmission. Evolution and Human Behavior, 22(3), 165–196: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11384884/  Van Vugt, M., & Smith, J. E. (2019). A dual model of leadership and hierarchy: Evolutionary synthesis. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(11), 952–967: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31629633/   Boehm, C. (1993). Egalitarian behavior and reverse dominance hierarchy. Current Anthropology, 34(3), 227–254: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1993-41011-001  Cheng, J. T., Tracy, J. L., Foulsham, T., Kingstone, A., & Henrich, J. (2013). Two ways to the top: Dominance and prestige as distinct routes to social rank. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 104(1), 103–125: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-31075-001  Margoni, F., Baillargeon, R., & Surian, L. (2018). Infants distinguish between leaders and bullies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(38), E8835–E8843: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30181281/  Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

    10 мин.

  4. 25 СЕНТ.

    Fear vs Respect in Leadership: What Ancient China Reveals About Lasting Authority

    Throughout history, leaders have relied on fear, intimidation, and punishment to compel obedience. But does dominance actually sustain power? In today’s episode, we explore the paradox of coercive leadership: why it works in moments of crisis yet almost always collapses over time. We’ll talk about the hidden costs of fear-based leadership, why dominance is so tempting to executives under pressure, and how business leaders can avoid its most dangerous traps. Don’t settle for short-term obedience fueled by fear. Start cultivating the kind of authority that earns respect, unlocks innovation, and sustains long-term performance in your organization. In this episode: - Dominance in leadership & its evolutionary roots - Why dominance works - Fragility of fear-based leadership - The human side of dominance: China's unifications - Why leaders fall back on dominance despite its costs Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Resources Used in the Episode:  Henrich, J., & Gil-White, F. J. (2001). The evolution of prestige: freely conferred deference as a mechanism for enhancing the benefits of cultural transmission. Evolution and Human Behavior, 22(3), 165–196: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11384884/  Turchin, P., & Gavrilets, S. (2009). Evolution of complex hierarchical societies. Social Evolution & History, 8(2), 167–198: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266884396_Evolution_of_Complex_Hierarchical_Societies  Van Vugt, M., & Smith, J. E. (2019). A dual model of leadership and hierarchy: Evolutionary synthesis. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(11), 952–967: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31629633/   Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

    10 мин.

  5. 18 СЕНТ.

    Why Every Flat Organization Eventually Turns Into a Hierarchy When Scaling Up

    In every growing business, there comes a breaking point when the flat, egalitarian model that once fueled creativity begins to collapse under its own weight. In this episode, we explore why hierarchies emerge as organizations scale and how leaders can use them not as power plays, but as vital tools for efficiency and clarity. Through history, research, and practical examples, we uncover how hierarchy reduces chaos, fosters specialization, and makes large groups manageable. From military structures to modern corporations, hierarchy has repeatedly proven itself as the backbone of human coordination.  The challenge lies not in rejecting hierarchy, but in designing it well so that it empowers your team. Join me for a clearer understanding of how to implement hierarchy thoughtfully, ensuring your organization remains agile, adaptive, and human-centered as it grows. In this episode: - The necessity of hierarchy when scaling - Hierarchy as a tool for specialization - Military and historical examples of hierarchy - Conclusion and leadership insights on hierarchy Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Resources Used in the Episode:  Garvin, D. A. (2013). How Google Sold Its Engineers on Management. Harvard Business Review, December 2013 Issue:  https://hbr.org/2013/12/how-google-sold-its-engineers-on-management  Grant, R. M. (2008). Contemporary Strategy Analysis (6th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. (See Chapter 6 on hierarchy and modularity for discussion of coordination benefits) https://www.blackwellpublishing.com/content/GrantContemporaryStrategyAnalysis/6th_Edition/CSAA01.pdf   Mengistu, H., Huizinga, J., Mouret, J.-B., & Clune, J. (2016). The evolutionary origins of hierarchy. PLoS Computational Biology, 12(6), e1004829: https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004829   Perret, C., Hart, E., & Powers, S. T. (2020). From disorganized equality to efficient hierarchy: how group size drives the evolution of hierarchy in human societies. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 287(1928), 20200693: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2020.0693  Simon, H. A. (1962). The architecture of complexity. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 106(6), 467–482: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/tesfatsi/archive/tesfatsi/ArchitectureOfComplexity.HSimon1962.pdf   Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny" rel="noopener...

    11 мин.

  6. 11 СЕНТ.

    How Ancient Societies Solved the Problem Every Growing Company Faces

    As your organization grows, you've probably experienced the moment when consensus-based decision-making starts breaking down. What worked for your startup team of 10 suddenly becomes chaos with 100 people. This isn't leadership failure; it's an evolutionary inevitability.   In this episode, we explore how our ancestors faced this exact challenge thousands of years ago, and why understanding their solution is crucial for modern leaders navigating organizational growth. The transition from egalitarian bands to complex hierarchies wasn't just ancient history but a blueprint for understanding why flat organizational structures eventually failed.   We’ll discuss why resistance to hierarchy is hardwired into our brains, yet embracing it strategically can be the difference between organizational success and failure. If you're leading any group larger than a campfire circle, you need to know evolutionary forces are still shaping your workplace dynamics. In this episode: - Introduction to the evolution of hierarchy - Efficiency and coordination in large groups through hierarchy - Transition from egalitarian bands to ancient states - Modern implications of hierarchical structures Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Resources Used in the Episode:  Mengistu, H., Huizinga, J., Mouret, J.-B., & Clune, J. (2016). The Evolutionary Origins of Hierarchy. PLoS Computational Biology, 12(6), e1004829. https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004829   Perret, C., Hart, E., & Powers, S. T. (2020). From disorganized equality to efficient hierarchy: how group size drives the evolution of hierarchy in human societies. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 287(1928), 20200693. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2020.0693  Turchin, P., & Gavrilets, S. (2009). Evolution of Complex Hierarchical Societies. Social Evolution & History, 8(2), 167–198. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266884396_Evolution_of_Complex_Hierarchical_Societies    Van Vugt, M., & Smith, J. E. (2019). A dual model of leadership and hierarchy: evolutionary synthesis. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(11), 952–967. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31629633/  Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: a href="http://www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    12 мин.

  7. 4 СЕНТ.

    Evolution of Leadership: Why Humans Traded Equality for Hierarchy

    Why do we follow leaders at all? Today, we kick off a new mini-series on the history of leadership from prehistoric campsites to the rise of kingdoms. As leaders and decision-makers, understanding why humans abandoned egalitarian structures for centralized authority helps us better grasp the hidden forces shaping organizations today. We’ll explore how early humans lived in remarkably flat social structures, where leadership was temporary and earned through respect, rather than dominance. But everything changed once survival required unity against external threats.  By the end of this series, you’ll understand the evolutionary pressures that led humans to embrace hierarchy, the trade-offs that came with it, and the lessons this holds for modern leaders navigating power, authority, and organizational survival. In this episode: - Introduction to the evolution of hierarchy - Evolving from egalitarian bands to complex hierarchies - The role of warfare in hierarchy formation - How early states and empires were established - Conclusion and next episode preview Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Resources Used in the Episode:  Mengistu, H., Huizinga, J., Mouret, J.-B., & Clune, J. (2016). The Evolutionary Origins of Hierarchy. PLoS Computational Biology, 12(6), e1004829. https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004829   Perret, C., Hart, E., & Powers, S. T. (2020). From disorganized equality to efficient hierarchy: how group size drives the evolution of hierarchy in human societies. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 287(1928), 20200693. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2020.0693  Turchin, P., & Gavrilets, S. (2009). Evolution of Complex Hierarchical Societies. Social Evolution & History, 8(2), 167–198. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266884396_Evolution_of_Complex_Hierarchical_Societies    Van Vugt, M., & Smith, J. E. (2019). A dual model of leadership and hierarchy: evolutionary synthesis. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(11), 952–967. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31629633/  Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

    12 мин.

  8. 28 АВГ.

    4 Simple Ways to Stop Overconfidence from Ruining Your Leadership

    Overconfidence isn't just a leadership trait. Sometimes, it’s a strategic weapon for manipulation. But the very confidence that drives business leaders to the top can be their downfall when unchecked. Today, you’ll hear how figures like Elizabeth Holmes and Adam Neumann leveraged overconfidence to build empires that ultimately crumbled beneath them. When confidence overrides competence, it can create toxic cultures where hard questions go unasked, and risk is ignored. The dangerous dynamic can play out in our boardrooms, and how we often reward boldness over actual results.  As a leader, it's crucial to recognize and break this pattern in your organization early. Be willing to question the certainty around you and challenge your assumptions. Whether it's in your leadership style or within your team, invite friction and reward healthy dissent to protect our leadership legacy.  In this episode: - Elizabeth Holmes: Consequences of overconfidence - The Adam Neumann case study - Four strategies to combat overconfidence in leadership Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Resources Used in the Episode:  Trivers, R. (2011). The Folly of Fools: The Logic of Deceit and Self-Deception in Human Life. Basic Books: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-24018-000   Jain, K., & Bearden, J. N. (2011). Machiavellianism and Overconfidence. Judgment and Decision Making, 6(6), 534–539: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1774523   Belmi, P., Neale, M. A., Reiff, D., & Ulfe, R. (2020). The Social Advantage of Miscalibrated Individuals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(2), 254–282: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspi0000187.pdf   Moore, D. A., & Healy, P. J. (2008). The Trouble with Overconfidence. Psychological Review, 115(2), 502–517: https://healy.econ.ohio-state.edu/papers/Moore_Healy-TroubleWithOverconfidence.pdf   Carreyrou, J. (2018). Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup. Knopf: https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Blood-Secrets-Silicon-Startup/dp/152473165X  Isaac, M., & Carey, M. (2019). WeWork: How a Startup Went Wrong. The New York Times. Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: a href="http://www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    9 мин.
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Can leaders learn how to harness the evolutionary foundations of human behavior to create better business outcomes? How much do evolutionary forces shape our own individual behaviors, decisions, and group dynamics? In each episode, multinational executive leader and author Nicolas Pokorny shares practical, research-based strategies, and stories about how to align humans around common goals and lead them effectively through ever-changing markets and times. The Mammoth in the Room is an engaging listen of interest to leaders who wish to better lead their people by understanding the evolutionary foundations of human behavior and how to harness them.

Информация

  • Автор
    Nicolas Pokorny, PhD, MBA
  • Годы выхода
    2024 - 2025
  • Выпуски
    65
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © Copyright 2025 Nicolas Pokorny, PhD, MBA
  • Сайт подкаста
    The Mammoth in the Room